Customer Reviews

The Best of Eric B. and Rakim - 20th Century Masters: Millennium Collection (Eco-Friendly Packaging)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
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This was back in the day when rap meant something. People were rapping for bragging rights about who was better. It wasn't East Coast vs. West Coast and there were no guns involved. The music was as serious as it is today but they knew how to use to the language to get their points across without dumbing it down with constant cussing.

It was all rhymes. And it was all good.

No rapper today could hold a candle to these guys or any of their peers.

All the songs on this compilation are dope classics. But for the definitive, ultimate Eric B & Rakim compilation with "SUPERIOR, RE-MASTERED" sound quality, your best bet is; Eric B & Rakim "GOLD". Check it out!

Eric B. and Rakim put out hard-hitting rap songs during the late 80s and early 90s. They were early "hardcore" rappers, but without all of the misognist and heavy cursing that became the staple of many rappers who came after them. I don't feel that this duo received proper respect or recognition, despite of the fact that they influenced other rappers. This compliation of their greatest hits is a good representation of their talent.

The only thing missing from this CD is one of the most influential tracks EVER (yeah, aside from the rest of these songs): DON'T SWEAT THE TECHNIQUE!

every true hip hop fan should already have every eric b and rakim album or cd,but for those who don't,this is not the best compilation of their work.three classic songs are missing from this "best of" collection, "move the crowd", "as the rhyme goes on" and most noticeably,"my melody",but any eric b and rakim is better than no eric b and rakim, so for the casual hip hop fan this will suffice. if you want a much more complete complilation, go with eric b and rakim "GOLD", a double cd that contains all the great hits and some not so well known songs as well!

"Follow the leader" was played over the sound system between acts at the Coldplay concert in Philly last week. I thought "Man, I haven't heard Eric B. and Rakim in years." I immediately went out and bought this disc and haven't stopped listening to it yet. This is really good stuff and should be listened to by anyone who desires a full appreciation of important music of the 80s.

Eric B and Rakim are the best the old school has to offer. Most kids today have never heard of their greatness or witnessed any of rakims lyrics. You really cant go wrong with any of the early Eric B and Rakim Albums these guys are one of my favorite old school groups next to Boogie Down Productions of course. This is ten classic songs of material from all of their albums. so if you dont got it get it. WORD

Any person who considers him or her self a true hip-hop fan knows that Eric B. & Rakim are no joke! They are probably the best old school duo in rap history. These guys started all that the media labels "Hardcore Rap." But they came out with a style that no one could ever compare to. Their first album "Paid in Full" is probably what they are most known for with songs like the title song and "Eric B. is President," yet their later albums are just as good as their first if not better because of Rakim's continuous tearing of the mic and Eric B.'s rough scratches in songs like "Microphone Fiend," "Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em," and "Know the Ledge." This compilation takes the best of there 4 albums, although they should of added songs like "My Melody," "What's on your mind," and "Don't Sweat the Technique." But I have to say it's probably the best rap compilation out there. This is definitely worth your money! And if you just wanna hear some real hardcore (...), then look no further!

This is simply the best rap group/duo that caught my attention back in the 80's when whole rap genre began. The clean lyrics of free flowing rhymes made it easy to listen to during those late night 'cruising' sessions we all remember.

Add it your catalog and enjoy it all over again.

...Cause this best of cd is identical to none! Back in the days when graffiti and breakdancing was rampant and guys rocked fades with gaudy gold chains around their necks and walked up to women with breathe that reeked of backed up septic tanks(and they wonder why they never got a number!), there was the baddest duo that hip hop has ever seen. Eric B The DJ and Rakim the god MC. If any group made you want to be in New York to experience hip hop,it had to be Eric B and Rakim. I can only imagine what the reactions of the clubs were like back then when DJs played I Know You Got Soul and Eric B Is President(back when DJs played real hip hop and not this gay-bay-bay s*** they're playing now!). Rakim giving it to you raw and uncut with his execellent delivery while Eric B compliments his rhymes with funky production and the wicked scratching. All the hits are here like I Aint No Joke, Lyrics Of Fury, Microphone Fiend, Let The Ryhthm Hit Em, In The Ghetto, Follow The Leader and the classic Paid In Full(The Coldcut mix). Rappers still sample Rakim's rhymes till this day. Samples: /I came in the door/ I said It before/(how many rappers you know took that? Dont front!) /I was a fiend before I became a teen/(Dont front. You know you heard that before). I could go on. Bottom Line: the 20th Century Masters did a great job with this best of cd and any fan of Rakim would do well with this best of album as well as their albums. My only gripe is that Dont Sweat The Technique is not on here but other than that I cant complain. It was still a great collection.
Standout Tracks: I KNOW YOU GOT SOUL, ERIC B IS PRESIDENT, I AINT NO JOKE, PAID IN FULL, FOLLOW THE LEADER, LYRICS OF FURY, THE PUNISHER, KNOW THE LEDGE and the rest of this best of album!